Djibouti Releases Genetically Modified Mosquitoes to Combat Malaria Surge

In a groundbreaking effort to combat the spread of malaria, tens of thousands of genetically modified male mosquitoes have been released in Djibouti, East Africa. Developed by Oxitec, a UK-based biotechnology company, these non-biting male Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes carry a gene that kills female offspring before they reach maturity.

This innovative approach targets the female mosquitoes, which are responsible for biting and transmitting malaria and other viral diseases. The initiative marks the first time such mosquitoes have been released in East Africa and the second time on the African continent.

Why this matters:

Malaria is a significant public health threat, and innovative solutions like genetically modified mosquitoes could have a major impact on reducing its spread. If successful, this approach could be replicated in other regions, potentially saving thousands of lives and reducing the economic burden of the disease.

The release is part of the Djibouti Friendly Mosquito Program, which began two years ago to halt the spread of Anopheles stephensi, an invasive mosquito species first detected in the country in 2012. Djibouti was on the verge of eliminating malaria, with only close to 30 malaria cases recorded, when the invasive species was detected, sparking a public health crisis.

The laboratory-produced mosquitoes carry a 'self-limiting' gene that prevents female mosquito offspring from surviving to adulthood when they mate. Only their male offspring survive but would eventually die out, according to the scientists behind the project.

Grey Frandsen, head of Oxitec, explained the significance of the project: 'We have built good mosquitoes that do not bite, that do not transmit disease. And when we release these friendly mosquitoes, they seek out and mate with wild type female mosquitoes.'

The first batch of mosquitoes was released into the open air on Thursday in Ambouli, a suburb of Djibouti city. This pilot phase is a partnership between Oxitec Ltd, Djibouti's government, and Association Mutualis, a non-governmental organization.

Similar technology has been successfully used in Brazil, the Cayman Islands, Panama, and India. According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one billion such mosquitoes have been released around the world since 2019.

The Djibouti Friendly Mosquito Program aims to curb the spread of urban malaria in Djibouti and across Africa. The invasive Anopheles stephensi mosquito has been spreading rapidly across the continent, putting cities at risk of malaria resurgence.

Djibouti's initiative marks a critical step towards stemming malaria resurgence across Africa. This innovative solution, leveraging local expertise and Oxitec's proven biological solutions, holds promise for significantly reducing malaria transmission in urban areas, according to experts.

As the program progresses, Djibouti will monitor the impact of the genetically modified mosquitoes on malaria transmission rates. The success of this pilot phase could pave the way for broader implementation across the continent, potentially saving thousands of lives and reducing the economic burden of the disease.

Key Takeaways

• Tens of thousands of genetically modified male mosquitoes released in Djibouti to combat malaria.
• These mosquitoes carry a gene that kills female offspring, which are responsible for biting and transmitting malaria.
• This is the first time such mosquitoes have been released in East Africa and the second time on the African continent.
• The initiative aims to curb the spread of urban malaria in Djibouti and across Africa.
• If successful, this approach could be replicated in other regions, potentially saving thousands of lives.